Well plugging device



- 1932- c. N. WRIGHTER 1,840,379

WELL PLUGGING DEVICE Filed March 28, 1930 Inventor C/mr/es Al Mfg/2 fer By M A llomey human... 12, 1932 PATENT, OFFICE CHARLES N. WBIGHTEB, OF IEBDIG, MONTANA.

WELL PLUGGING DEVICE Application filed larch 98, 1980. Serial No. 489,684.

My invention relates to well plugging devices that are particularly adapted or use in shutting off water coming from fissures or the like that are encountered in oil well drill- 6 ing after passing through oil sand, shale or other oil bearing strata. It is customary in sinking oil shafts to continue drilling after passing through oil bearing strata in hopes of striking a gusher and it often happens that water is thus encountered below in quantities greater than the oil seepage above. My device provides simple and comparatively 1nexpenslve means whereby this water may be quickly and completely shut ofl so that the oil ma be pumped from the strata above.

Wit the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of the novel construction, adaptation, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed. These objects are accomplished by devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings; wherein Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the device installed in a well;

Fig. 2 is a view in central vertical section of the same taken substantially on a broken line 2, 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a ragmentary view in vertical section showin the dilated position of the expansible mem er;

Fig. 4 is a view in transverse horizontal section taken on a broken line 4, 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section showing the operation of the toothed spreader jaws; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken substantially on a broken line 6, 6 of Fig. 2 and showing the dog locking means for the stem of the spreader bell member.

Referring to the drawings throughout 7 which like reference numerals indicate like parts, the numeral 5 designates a well, the numeral 6 indicates an underground water seepage fissure or the like, and the numeral 7 designates a filling of rock extending above the fissure and forming a solid foundation for the device.

The numeral 8 designates a spreader bell member that converges upwardly and is provided with a reduced stem 9 whose upper portion is provided with a series of upwardy convergent grooves 10 most clearly shown 1n Fig. 6. The numeral 11 designates an 65 expansible member that may be constructed of rubber, lead or the like and which is cylindrical with substantially the same diameter, normally, as the major diameter of the spreader bell member. A conical recess 12 extends from the bottom of said expansible member to a joinder with an aperture 13 a through its top portion that fits closely around the stem of the spreader member.

A cylindrical metal body member 14: has a central 'a erture 15 which fits around the bell stem 9. aid body member has the same diameter as the bell spreader member and may be oined or secured to the upper end of the expansible member 11 by means of an annular groove 16 at its lower end and into which an upper end portion of the expansible member protrudes as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawingsf A pin 17 passing through sald body member and through the bell stem secures said stem to said body member.

Referring to Fig. 6, the bell stem 9 is secured within the aperture 15 of the body 14: aga nst downward movement by a pair of locking dogs 18 installed in diametrically opposite holes through the body member. Sa1d dogs are provided with, teeth that fit lnto the upwardly convergent grooves 10 in sald stem and screws 19 on the outside with springs 20 interposed between said screws and dogs provide yielding means whereby the body member may be forcibly moved downward but is prevented from moving upward by reason of the convergent grooves and teeth as will be understood.

The body member 14 is further provided with a pair of diametrically opposite dovetail grooves 21 that slant inwardly and upwardly to the upper end of said body member. A pair of exteriorly toothed Jaws 22 are slidably disposed in said grooves and the upper end of said body member is threaded to receive a cap 23 which limits the upward movement of said jaws. Said cap is provided with a central aperture 24 corresponding in diameter with the apertures 13 and 15.

The diameter of the well 5 is made lar r than the diameter of the assembled devlce and a pair of holes 25 through the assembled members 8, ll, 14 and 23 provide for the passage of water therethrough. Thus, the water within the well will pass freely around the sides of the device and through said holes when the device is lowered to the position shown in Figs. land 2 with the spreader member 8 restin on the rocks 7 above the water draining fissure 6. In this position the cap 23 is hammered upon by any desired and suitable means.

The pin 17 will be sheered off as the hammerin is continued and the body member 14 wil force the expansible member 11 down upon the spreader member 8. Said expansible member will be spread further apart as it is forced downwardly upon said spreader member and the .dogs 18 will hold the body and expansible members in place at each incremental movement downward thereof until said expansible member is dilated suificiently to sto up the well entirely as shown in Fig. 3 o the drawings. The jaws 22 will engage the well sides and any subsequent upward movement of the device will cause said jaws to move outward by reason of their slanting grooves thus causing the jaw teeth to sink into the well wall and prevent further upward movement of the device.

It will now be apparent that I have'provided simple, inexpensive and effective closure means for water seepage encountered in oil well drilling. Having thus described my invention, it being understood that minor changes in its construction and arrangement may be resorted to without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A well lugging device comprising a deformable cylinder having a tapered opening extending longitudinally thereof, a tapered mandrel ada ted to be caused to slide 11 wardly within the cylinder to spread t e latter into tight engagement with the wall of a well casing, an extension integral with said mandrel and having buttress shaped grooves formed thereon, a cylindrical head member secured to said extension by means of a break pin connection there being tapered grooves formed in the head, slips slidable in the grooves and engageable with the wall of a well casing to prevent upward movement of the device therein, a pair of resiliently actuated detents carried by the head adapted to engage the grooves on said mandrel extension to prevent separation of said head and said mandrel after the break pin has been sheared by driving the deformable cylinder over said mandrel.

2. A well lu ging device comprising a deformable cylinfer having a tapered openin extending longitudinally thereof, a tapere mandrel disposed within the o nin a head arranged above said deformab e cylinder, an extension integral with the mandrel and a break pin connection securing the mandrel and head together, slip members cooperating with the head member and the wall of the well casing to prevent upward movement of the device therein, and means carried by the head and 'engaging said mandrel extension to prevent separation of the mandrel and said head after the break pin has been sheared by driving the deformable cylinder over said mandrel.

3. A well pluggin device comprising a deformable cylinder having an openin extending therethrough, a tapered mandrel disposed within the opening, a head arranged above said cylinder, a break pin connection securing the mandrel and said head together, slip members cooperating with the head member and the wall of a well casing to prevent upward movement of the device therein, and means carried by .the head and engagin said mandrel to prevent separation of the latter and said head after the break pin has been sheared by driving the deformable cylinder over said mandrel.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLES N. WRIGHTER. 

